What a Difference a Year Makes

I came across these pictures on the computer the other day of Bryson's very first day of Mother's Day Out. I can't believe he's been in MDO for a year. Where has the time gone?

He looks so small! I remember him being so excited to carry his backpack.

I thought I would take a few pictures today on our way to MDO to see the difference a year makes.

Oh! These pictures make me want to cry!! My little boy is growing up SO fast. I can't imagine what he will look like a year from now.

28 Weeks {Baby #2}

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 28 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby W is the size of a melon
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 13.5 pounds so far.
Maternity Clothes: Yes!
Gender: It's a BOY! Jaxon Clay
Movement: ALL THE TIME!!! :)
Sleep: Much better this week. I think last week I was just anticipating and nervous about my OB appt.
What I miss: Nothing! I think I'm in the honeymoon stage, so I've got lots of energy!
Cravings: I'm loving anything and everything this week. Hence the 2 pound weight gain. Ha!
Symptoms: Still having 3-5 contractions every day. Nothing too serious. But it helps when I can lay down and just relax.
Best Moment this week: Finding out that I haven't dilated. YAY!! That my fetal fibronectin test came back negative. WOO-HOO!! And that I will be able to take off one day during my work week! I'm still waiting on the results from my liver U/S and LFT's. I hope to hear about those results some time today.

project 365: week four

I have got to get better at posting these on Saturday. I always have every intention to, but get caught up with other things around the house and never get around to posting. I think I'll start writing each days description on that day, so all I have to do is upload this pictures.

We had somewhat of a laid back week. After having some contractions over the last two weeks I've decided to try and not do as much. That's SO much easier said than done. Ha!

January 22: I let Bryson take his matchbox cars with him to the bathtub. The best thing I have ever done! He has had so much with them this past week; it's all he wants to play with now.

January 23: Due to the tornado's that hit our state early Monday morning, Bryson didn't have school due to them closing for the day. He was enjoying watching Octonauts which by the way is his new favorite show. He wants to watch it everyday when he wakes up. Thank goodness for DVR :)

January 24: I really wasn't in the mood to cook on Tuesday night and I found this crock pot potato soup recipe that was Um-Um-Good!

January 25: I had my monthly visit to the OB on Wednesday. Me and Jaxon waiting on Dr. H.

January 26: Thursday was pajama day since it poured down rail ALL DAY! Can I just state for the record how much I HATE rainy days!!!

January 27: Clay and I have been itching to see The Grey with Liam Neeson (who has become one of my favorite actors) and of course it did not disappoint! Without saying too much, Clay wasn't very happy with the ending, but I kinda' liked it. We had a great date night! Love getting to spend time with my man!!!

January 28: My brother and SIL came up to my parents house and brought sweet Anna Katherine. I could not get over how sweet Bryson was being with her. He was so gentle and sweet. I'm hoping that is a small glimpse into our future. I was so proud to be his mommy!

Baby #2 Update

Yesterday I had my monthly OB appointment. I had been dreading this visit for the last 3 weeks. I found out a few days after my last visit that my liver enzymes are starting to increase. I mentioned a few posts back that this same thing happened when I was pregnant with Bryson and they got so elevated we had to deliver 4 weeks early due to early stages of HELLP Syndrome and Pre-eclampsia. Ever since I found out about being pregnant with Jaxon Clay and I have been praying that we would not have to go through all of that again. My OB told us that she could not guarantee that I would make it to 36 weeks with my next pregnancy. That has been in the back of my mind these last 6 months. So when I got the call 3 weeks ago about them being elevated all my fears came back. And on top of that I have started having 3-5 contractions a day for the last week and a half along with some cramping (and that's after taking my meds).

Of course Tuesday night I couldn't sleep a wink. I was trying to make sure I remembered all the questions I needed to ask Dr. H and praying that everything would be okay. When I got to the office I had to start the dreaded Glucose test. Surely someone could invent a better drink than that nasty orange stuff. And drinking it on an empty stomach is even worse!!

Me and Jaxon waiting to see Dr. H

After I finished the test I went in to see Dr. H. We talked about my enzyme levels, the contractions and a some other concerns she and I have. She thought it would be a good idea to do the Fetal fibronectin test to check my risk for preterm delivery. I also had blood work drawn to check my liver enzymes and just for safe measure had an ultrasound of my liver to make sure it looks good. Jaxon's heartbeat was good, 158 and I'm measuring great! She also checked my cervix and PRAISE the Lord I'm closed and high!!! She also thought it would be a good idea for me to take a day off in the middle of my work week which I think will be another blessing and I promised her that I would do better at resting on my week off and let Bryson stay with my parents and Clay's grandparents a couple of days during the week so I can get some rest.

By the time I finished everything I was at the doctor for over 3 hours. And when I left I was starving. Ha!!! So I thought I would treat myself to Momma Goldberg's and a little retail therapy.

My favorite sandwich, Momma's Love with the Momma's Nachos and a cherry coke :)

I also stopped in one of the local baby shops next door and picked up a few things for Bryson and Jaxon. Did my grocery shopping for the next two weeks and then came home and crashed. I updated Clay on everything that had happened since he isn't able to go with me to my appointments and we are just praying everything turns out okay.

Late yesterday afternoon I got a call from the lab and one of our prayers had been answered. My fetal fibronectin test came back NEGATIVE!!! Now we are just awaiting the results of my liver enzymes, glucose test and liver ultrasound.

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

project 365: week three

I'm a few days late getting this post up. I haven't been sleeping very well this last week, so any extra time I have I've been taking advantage of it and getting some sleep. This week was somewhat difficult to get pictures. Mainly because I work at night and sleep during the day for seven straight days, so I'll warn y'all that on my weeks to work the pictures might be a little boring and may even repeat themselves. Ha!

January 15: Bryson is never in a hurry on Sunday mornings. For some reason he always has time to sit down, watch cartoons and eat his breakfast. Ha!
January 16: Ever since my parents gave Bryson the Woody doll he goes everywhere with Bryson, even nap time.
January 17: Playing with mommy's iPhone while I get dinner ready.
January 18: Since Clay has started his student teaching, I have to leave work early so I can get home before he leaves so Bryson isn't by himself. On this day Bryson had MDO and while I got my shower he sat in our bedroom, ate breakfast and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
January 19: I was so excited to see this in the mail on Thursday. I can't believe I was able to snag a pair of these VS pajamas in my size! I'll be wearing these to the hospital when we have Jaxon.
January 20: My parents kept Bryson on Friday and my mom had to take my grandmother to the doctor. He looks like he's having a good time in the waiting room.
January 21: Our TV that Clay has had for over 10 years finally decided it was ready to kick the bucket. I took this picture Saturday right before it got hauled off.

27 Weeks {Baby #2} & a Name Change

Pregnancy Highlights


How Far Along: 27 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby W is the size of a head of cauliflower
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 11.5 pounds so far.
Maternity Clothes: Yes!
Gender: It's a BOY!!!
Movement: He's moving non-stop. If this a sign, of my are we going to have our hands full!
Sleep: Not so much this week.
What I miss: Being able to tie my shoes. Ha! Bending over is getting harder and harder to do.
Cravings: This week it's been Arby's cherry turnover. I think I've had 4 or 5 this week.
Symptoms: My Braxton Hicks contractions are getting a little more intense. And I've started to have some mild cramping with them. Hoping having a week off will help this week.
Best Moment this week: I don't know if this would classify as a "Best Moment," but I have my doctor's appointment this week and I have a lot of questions and things to discuss with her since I saw her last month. Oh, and I get to see our little man on the screen too. :)



After talking it over with Clay we've decided that we are changing Jaxon's middle name. We really weren't set on Marcus and had some reservations about it since we talked about it. So baby boy #2's name is.......


JAXON CLAY

We are really excited about the name change and are looking forward to his arrival real soon. Good thing I haven't had anything monogrammed with his whole name just yet. Ha!!!

Bryson's Favorite iPhone Apps

If any of you mom's are like me (and I hope there are a few of you out there), my toddler loves playing on my iPhone. So I thought I would share with y'all a few of Bryson's favorite apps.



I would say Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is by far his favorite of them all. Every time he has my phone he will go straight to this app. It teaches about colors, shapes, counting, letters, matching, etc. His favorite is the matching game. Right now you can get this app for $0.99.



This app might be a little more for boys since it has to do with Cars. It's the Lightning Was Here: My Puzzle Book. It features several different puzzles, a scavenger hunt for stickers and a way to record your own child's voice reading the book. This app is also $0.99.



Now I wouldn't call Netflix and educational app, but it has some great uses when Bryson is wanting to watch Veggietales or Toy Story 3. This has been a lifesaver at the grocery story or when we are waiting at the doctor's office. Netflix is a free app however you have to be a member in order to use it.



Peekaboo Barn is another one of our favorite apps. The barn bounces up and down and then the doors open and an animal appears. Each time the doors open a new animal pops up. Bryson is always shouting out the animals he knows. Peekaboo Barn is $1.99.



Jumpstart Preschool Magic is an app I just downloaded a few weeks ago. This is a great app for preschoolers. It includes games that practice colors, shapes, numbers, pre-reading skills, etc. It is available for $2.99.


I hope there are a few apps that I've listed your child might enjoy. And if you have any suggestions please leave me a comment so I can check them out. Hope y'all have a wonderful Friday!!!

Gonna Give it a Whirl

Source: colorinc.typepad.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Those of you that don't know me personally or do not follow me on pinterest probably have no idea that I am obsessed with everything photography. A BIG thanks to my dad for this obsession! Ha! With the birth of our second child on the way, I've been going back and forth about having maternity and newborn pictures done professionally. The big factor in all of this is of course $$$. Which is something we are lacking at this time with the hubby in school. And I need to be mindful of what we can/should spend our extra dollars on.

So yesterday I casually mentioned to my mom about taking my own maternity and newborn pictures. To which she replied "Oh yes, I think we can do that. If I can sew the bedding for Jaxon's nursery, then we can take these pictures!" And thus began my search on the internet for taking good newborn pictures.

After researching off and on last night I really think this is something my mom and I can tackle. I found some great websites with some very good tips and suggestions that I think will help. My mom and I both have good DSLR cameras (mine is a Canon EOS XSi and my mom has a Nikon) and I still have a few more months to get more familiar with my camera and learn a few more tricks.

I will tell y'all that I'm extremely nervous about doing this. I have high expectations when it comes to photography (which is a fault of mine I know). I'm nervous that I won't do a good job and then years down the road I'll regret not having them done professionally. Especially knowing that this is probably our last baby :(

Pictures are priceless and capture so much in a small amount of time. Years down the road I want to look back and remember every detail of that moment. I don't want to have ANY regrets! Because when your babies grow up, move away, get married, and have families of their own all you have are those pictures to help you remember those special moments that we sometimes forget about.